Yay! No kidding.

Thank God. I was gonna HULKSMASH if the result went the other way, and frankly, I'm too tired and sleepy for a rage-out.

Poor Aires -- they didn't even get an on-screen swan song! That had to bite.

Some of the performance clips are up in Youtube already. On second listen, I really really dig Pentatonix singing "Give Me Just One Night" with Nick Lachey (who can actually sing, which is more than you can say for Ben Folds. Sorry, Ben!) The song cuts a super-fun groove, the rhythm section for whichever Latin dance this is (samba? cha-cha? meringue? I have no idea) is awesome, and Kirstie's sultry spoken-Spanish bit just sizzles. It's got just the right amount of cheese to make it pop. The blends are wonky in a couple of spots, but overall, it's miles better than their first number: [link]

Well, if Nick Lachey hadn't drawn out the end so much, maybe they would have. Just kidding, I'm sure it was deliberate. It's fine, if they would have gotten the recording contract, Michael wouldn't have been able to star in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar next year. (I don't remember who said that, but everytime he sang after that, I thought of it, 'cause it's true. His voice lends itself well to certain songs in his style, but he can't branch out. "Born to Run" was not good, because the leads were too lyrical (including Scott who I love). It didn't get solid until some of the earthier voices came in.

It's fine, if they would have gotten the recording contract, Michael wouldn't have been able to star in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar next year.

I've heard this exact sentiment expressed in multiple different fora. He's got pretty much the perfect voice for Judas in JCS revival.

Agree on "Born to Run" being inadequate. Interestingly enough, I liked Keith's voice the best of all the male leads who sang in the number (Keith is the tall one from Vocal Point with an interesting nasal tone, who sang the lead in "Every Little Step" -- my favourite performance from them in the competition by a large margin).

I still need to watch the various numbers on my computer so I can hear everything better (either my TV or my ears are really crappy -- probably a combination of both -- but the sound is great on my laptop if I use headphones). But yeah, Pentatonix's first number did not sound good. First time they've ever sounded out of tune. I blame it on nerves. Wasn't this the first time the show was actually live? That's got to be a different feeling than taping a show. Kirstie in particular looked like she was a wreck, especially after the results were announced. She almost looked sick. And then they had to sing! Not something you can do easily when you're emotional and your breathing goes all to hell. She was really flat in the beginning of their final number. But they were still incredible. I was a huge fan of Street Corner Symphony last season, but I think I like Pentatonix even more.

Interestingly enough, I liked Keith's voice the best of all the male leads who sang in the number

Although his trying to look hard made me laugh and laugh.

I thought most of last night's numbers were crappy.

Yeah, seriously awful. Like, I made my mom watch and told her it was like American Idol, but with talent, and then everyone was out of tune so bad. It was embarrassing.

I looked up Nick Lachey and it turns out he lives like 2 neighborhoods over from us in Cincinnati (where his brother, who has kids, lives). And (which I knew) he went to the creative and performing arts high school here, where I think about trying to get Casper into.

A very classy parting speech by Michael from Dartmouth Aires followed by a gorgeous swan song (one of the bests we've heard this season, IMO): [link]

AWW. Even though they sometimes fell short musically, I really liked those kids.